I wish I could say “we got to the bottom of things” at the special Animal Welfare Advisory Council meeting held this week in the Deering Building of the Department of Agriculture in Augusta.
NickerNews may be
opinion-oriented, but it is always interested in presenting the facts as we learn of them. We have faith that our readers can figure out the difference between equine advocacy (opinion) and straight news.
So with much frustration, here goes!
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Assistant Attorney General Mark Randlett, representing the Department of Agriculture, was the first to speak.
To paraphrase, he told AWAC members and the rest of us (about 20 concerned citizens and media), that the Animal Welfare Program would not discuss any elements of the investigation at Fair Play Farm.
Then,
AWP director Norma Worley read a statement saying much the same and that there is an “active and on-going investigation…and benchmarks have been established (for the Ingrahams)”
She also took a jab at NickerNews, saying “chat rooms” are not the place for discussing the developments.
Norma and her agents should embrace the Internet instead of disparaging
it. Simply by visiting myspace, facebook, horseville and craigslist,
they could bolster the case with some great before and after photos of
horses who have suffered at the Ingrahams’ hands.
(I really wish Norma and her agents would embrace the Internet instead of disparaging it. Simply by visiting myspace, facebook, horseville and craigslist, they could bolster the case with some great before and after photos of horses who have suffered at the Ingrahams’ hands! That's how the feds catch terrorists, Norma, haven't you heard?)
At this point,
AWAC member Meris J. Bickford called for an executive session to close the meeting from the public. This measure was taken to enable Animal Welfare to speak to AWAC members in confidence.
A majority of AWAC members agreed to this measure and off they went to talk amongst themselves.
The rest of us milled about the concrete halls until the meeting came out of executive session and reconvened 30 minutes later.
Highlights of the rest of the meeting, for me, were the articulate concerns aired by several members of the Maine horse community:
Donna Hughes of Searsmont:
We have some of the toughest laws on the books. Who’s not doing their job? That’s what needs to be addressed.
We have some of the toughest laws on the books. Who’s not doing their job? That’s what needs to be addressed.
The system is broken, obviously. Spring is coming and it’s going to be huge…there will be a huge influx of (neglected) animals coming down the pike.
Lisa Bosse, of RiverView Farm in Lisbon Falls:
If the Ingrahams say they are dealers…Livestock dealers must be licensed…that’s a form a revenue.
Bosse, who has compiled a long list of volunteers ready to foster and help care for horses in need, added:
It seems like when Animal Welfare gets a big case, everybody goes on vacation and nothing gets done. When there are two backyard horses that need to be seized, the state comes in with shining armor and saves the day…In Maine, if you’re going to abuse or neglect horses, you’re better off having 50 horses rather than two because the state doesn’t have a plan to deal with it.
If you’re going to abuse or neglect horses, you’re better off having 50
horses rather than two because the state doesn’t have a plan to deal
with it.
Jan Marconi, of Triple J Farm in Bowdoin:
Obviously, history does repeat itself (in reference to the Searsport fiasco and others) …it’s time to put the heartache behind us. The health and well being of horses is first and foremost.
Estelle Werly, who has filed complaints and been actively involved in this and other horse abuse/neglect cases, asked AWAC what the public could do.
AWAC member Sharon Secovich replied that the public should keep pressure on the Department of Agriculture and get in touch with their state legislators to agitate for change.
Meris Bickford agreed.
AWAC member and Maine Equine Associates veterinarian Dr. Janelle Tirrelle added that the Maine Farm Bureau is hosting a meeting of equine welfare advocates 6 pm, March 31st at its Augusta office. (Stay tuned for more info on that.)
Janet Tuttle, who runs Rockin’ T Rescue, expressed the views of many when she told the group:
While we’re going through all this red tape and meetings, horses are dying.
Right on, Janet.
Less talk. More action.
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[Read and listen to MPBN report.]
[Read As Maine Goes blog post.]
Add your comment!
Make this the legal issue which it is. The law is being broken so send your letters to the Attorney General's office as well as your legislator.
We all need to stick with this Janet. People are listening!!! I'm not sure how the FPF thing is going to pan out now that they've messed it up so badly but we can be the future for horses in Maine if we keep up the fight. I know, you've been fighting for a very long time....time to make some changes for the better!
We need to add the fact that they are a sales barn by their own admission and the state's and they are not licensed so why is the state not going after them for that too. That's another point we need to make in our emails and phone calls. I'm still sending them out and also pushing the Burnham property where I's sure they have horses in even worse condition, but I haven't seen it in person so cant file a complaint, but I still bring it up in my emails and phone calls. Whether I have seen them or not, if this is an open investigation all places they keep horses need to be checked out!
Janet, I can think of no one in this god forsaken state that could guide us more effectively than you. Rather than beat our heads against the wall at AWAC, MEMC, AWP meetings, could we band together with your leadership? I know you're the AWP's worst nigtmare but they DO know you're there, and will always be there. Perhaps now is the time for you to call us in and form our own group, that we know will be listened to. Those are just my immediate, emotioanal thoughts, but I believe that the uproar over the FPF situation and your ongoing presence at AWAC meetings is finally getting some attention. I wish you were our leader. I trust no one like I trust you. Would YOU be agreeable to forming an "I'm sick of this bullshit" group? At this stage of the game, I don't think your name attached to anything is a minus. I think it's become a huge PLUS!
Just a thought...the number of horses in need are increasing due to economy,etc.. Winter months are the most prevalent. Seems this issue came up last year too. WHY NOT do take all that energy and passion that people have and put it to good use - by educating. You have designed a notice/poster that people are asked to put up in feed store. Design another notice educating people on how much it cost to feed a horse especially through the winter. Give them a scale on the health of a horse. Give them a guideline on when its time to give that horse up before despite measures need to be taken. List the rescues and have someone responsible for the list you have put together of people that will take in a horse and put that contact on the notice. This notice won't cure everything but if it helps ONE horse, it will serve its purpose. Distribute it around to the feed stores, etc. That's one thing you can do that would help your cause and not bring a negative connotation to your group. Source your facts from a well-reknowned vet. Sometimes simple things are best.